Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

Mvoti Tour

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Detailed Trip Description

During our South Africa Cultural Tours, we will introduce you to the people, history, culture, customs, traditions, lifestyle who have made South Africa into what it is to day. Visit the village where Nelson Mandela grew up, and tour the Nelson Mandela Museum, for example on our Eastern Cape Tours. Tour overview: ...Seventeen days - five star accommodation - including : Soweto, Sterkfontein World Heritage Site, Pretoria, Sani Pass, Lesotho, Isandlwana, St Lucia World Heritage Site, Phinda, Kosi Bay, Durban’s townships, Cape Town, Robben Island, Table Mountain and the Winelands.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Sandton

 
Airport Transfer

Arrive at Johannesburg airport and transfer to hotel in Sandton.

Sightseeing

Depart for tour of Soweto including lunch at Wandies. Soweto (originally an acronym for South Western Townships) developed from a geographical location into an international symbol of victory over oppression.

Hotel

Overnight Sandton.


Day 2 - Durban

 
Sightseeing

Depart for Sterkfontein caves where the ape-man fossils that have been found gave rise to the suggestions that Africa is the "cradle of mankind". The Sterkfontein discoveries and the importance of the area in tracing the evolution of man has been recognised by UNESCO in declaring this a World Heritage Site. Travel to Pretoria to visit the Union Buildings.

Commercial Flight

Transfer to Johannesburg airport for flight to Durban.

Hotel

Overnight Umhlanga Rocks.


Day 3 - South Africa

 
Sightseeing

Depart for Penwarn, an exclusive country retreat in the Drakensberg mountains. Known by the Zulus as the "Barrier of Spears" the Drakensberg mountains, formed 150 million years ago, rise to over 3000 meters. Almost the entire area is a protected park and is one of the scenic showpieces of Southern Africa with spectacular natural beauty and true tranquility.

Sightseeing

Afternoon guided tour to hear about the San (Bushman), the hunter-gatherers who lived in the area for about 7000 years until the 1800's. They left behind paintings, daubed with exquisite skill on the walls of caves and overhangs, which give us an insight into their lives, their rituals and beliefs.

Hotel

Overnight Penwarn.


Day 4 - South Africa

 
Sightseeing

Depart for the spectacular 4x4 vehicle excursion to the top of Sani Pass and into the Kingdom of Lesotho (Known as the Roof of Africa). Visit a village to see how these hardy people live.

Food and Dining

Lunch at the highest pub in Africa before the breathtaking decent of the pass.

Optional
Adventure

Optional late afternoon activities : Birding walk, trout or bass fishing.

Hotel

Overnight Penwarn.


Day 5 - South Africa

 
Sightseeing

Depart for Ecabazini, a living Zulu homestead. The Zulu nation's dominant position as the largest population group in the country arose from the military conquests and diplomacy of King Shaka in the early 19th century. A proud and dignified people, famous as fearsome warriors, they hold strong beliefs that are still widely practiced today.

Private Car Service

Afternoon transfer to Islandwana Lodge, built on a hillside overlooking the famous battlefield where the army of the mightiest empire the world had known suffered its most crushing colonial defeat at the hands of the brave and tenacious Zulus.

Hotel

Overnight Islandwana Lodge.


Day 6 - South Africa

 
Sightseeing

Full day tour following the fortunes of both sides during the battle of Isandlwana, the escape through Fugitives Drift and the last ditch defence of Rorke's Drift which resulted in eleven Victoria Crosses being awarded and the name Zulu being engraved forever in the annals of human conflict.

Hotel

Overnight Isandlwana Lodge.


Day 7 - South Africa

 
Sightseeing

Transfer to Nibela Lake Lodge on Lake St Lucia, South Africa's largest body of natural water. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, which contains five different eco-systems, was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a unique conservation area, a wetland of international significance and national pride. Nibela Lake Lodge is situated on the tip of a peninsula and the thatched buildings blend into the magnificent canopy of the trees where guests can enjoy the solitude and tranquility of Africa at its best.

River, Barge or Yacht Cruise

Sunset cruise.

Hotel

Overnight Nibela Lake Lodge.


Day 8 - South Africa

 
River, Barge or Yacht Cruise

Early morning cruise to look for hippos and the crocodile breeding grounds followed by breakfast.

Optional
Relaxation

Optional birding walk or relaxing by the pool.

Sightseeing

Afternoon shoreline walk to see the remarkable marine fossils.

Hotel

Overnight Nibela Lake Lodge.


Day 9 - Phinda

 
Safari

Transfer to Phinda Private Game Reserve. In the early 1990's an ambitious private conservation project was launched. It was called Phinda - meaning "the return" - and has seen the ecological rehabilitation of 17000 hectares of land that had been degraded by decades of inappropriate farming. An integral part of the success of this venture has been the involvement of the local communities who are today enjoying direct benefits from the growth in eco-tourism. Night drive in the reserve.

Hotel

Overnight Phinda Mountain Lodge.


Day 10 - Phinda

 
Safari

Full day game viewing activities including a night drive. The reserve which includes seven eco-systems is home to the Big 5 as well as a host of other animals and birds. The relocation project in which over 1500 head of game were re-introduced to supplement the existing wildlife is the largest private relocation ever undertaken.

Hotel

Overnight Phinda Mountain Lodge.


Day 11 - South Africa

 
Safari

Early morning game drive.

Sightseeing

After breakfast transfer to Kosi Bay in Maputaland, the north-eastern region of KwaZulu Natal. This area is inhabited by an interesting mix of Thonga, Zulu and Swazi people and despite facing the onset of change still offers the visitor a unique opportunity of experiencing how the people have interacted with their natural environment for hundreds of years.

Wine

After lunch learn about the making of palm wine, an important local industry. Sundowners at Lake Shengeza.

Hotel

Overnight Kosi Forest Lodge.


Day 12 - South Africa

 
Sightseeing

Full day exploring the lakes, seeing the fascinating method the Thonga have used for 600 years to catch fish by means of an intricate system of traps made from reeds and baskets, learning about the local culture and walking along the pristine beaches.

Optional
Snorkeling

Optional activity, snorkeling among the superb coral reefs.

Hotel

Overnight Kosi Forest Lodge.


Day 13 - Durban

 
Arts, Crafts and Antiques

Depart for Thembalethu Craft Village and the iLala Weavers which was established 20 years ago with the objective of revitalizing and enhancing the traditional handicrafts of the Zulu women that were in danger of being lost forever. Today iLala Weavers helps over two thousand Zulus to attain self sufficiency by providing an outlet for their superb basketwork and beadwork.

Private Car Service

After lunch transfer to Durban.

Hotel

Overnight Umhlanga Rocks.


Day 14 - Durban

 
Sightseeing

Morning tour of the Townships of Durban, formally hotbeds of political dissension and conflict where many of the great leaders of the struggle against apartheid were born, worked or died. Today the Townships, home to some 2,5 million people, exude a vibrant, friendly atmosphere. The afternoon is spent learning about the Indian population.

Sightseeing

From the time of the arrival of the first Indian indentured labourers in the 1860's the Indian population of KwaZulu Natal has grown to what is reputed to be the largest outside India. They have retained much of their rich cultural heritage as can be seen in the beautiful masques, colourful temples, vibrant festivals, classical dances and exotic foods.

Food and Dining

Dinner is at a shabeen during an evening tour of the lively townships surrounding Durban. As African urban settlements grew up around the city, the shabeen became the place where people came to relax, meet friends and have a drink. Here you will have the chance to listen to music and talk to the locals.

Hotel

Overnight Umhlanga Rocks.


Day 15 - Cape Town

 
Commercial Flight

Early breakfast and transfer to the airport for flight to Cape Town.

Adventure

Afternoon tour of the City including the colourful Bo-Kaap or Malay Quarter, traditional home of the Cape Malays who have maintained their Muslim identity and made significant contributions to the South African language and cuisine.

Ferry

Ferry trip to Robben Island for a tour of the prison where Nelson Mandela was held.

Food and Dining

Dinner at Africa Café which offers a mouth-watering array of African dishes.

Hotel

Overnight Cape Town.


Day 16 - Cape Town

 
Sightseeing

Weather permitting, early departure for cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain for breakfast while enjoying one of the world's most memorable views. A tour of the Winelands includes visits to some of the progressive farms where the workers, with the support of the owners, have started to produce their own wines with the evocative labels such as "Freedom Road" and "New Beginnings".

Food and Dining

Picnic lunch at one of the farms and a visit to Stellenbosch, in the heart of the Winelands.

Food and Dining

Dinner at a seafood restaurant in Hout Bay to watch the sun set across the ocean.

Hotel

Overnight Cape Town.


Day 17 - Cape Town

 
Airport Transfer

Transfer to Cape Town airport for return flight.


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